Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Makurdi (Agenzia Fides) – The Second Diocesan Synod of Makurdi, Nigeria, has come to an end. In the final message sent to Fides, they give thanks to God for the benefits received since its creation: “In the fifty years of its existence, our Diocese, the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has come a very long way. Created on June 28, 1960, we thank God for the many blessings it has received thus far and for the blessing it has been. The Catholic population is one million, three hundred (1.3 m), there are two hundred and nine (209) indigenous clergy, sixty (60) members of the indigenous Religious Congregation, the Sisters of the Nativity; the Via Christi Society already has twenty-two priests, seventy-seven seminarians and one hundred and four lay members. Major seminarians of the Diocese are one hundred and ninety-two (192); while there are several candidates for consecrated life, and many Catechists and Church Leaders.”
The message continues: “We recall with respect, affection and gratitude the pioneer missionaries – the French, English, German and the Irish Holy Ghost Fathers and, along with them, the Irish and Canadian Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, – who first brought the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ to our land and prepared the ground for the cultivation of the true Faith. They worked under stringent conditions with a heroism that is akin to that of the holy martyrs. We remember most fondly the first two Bishops of our Diocese, Bishop James Hagan, CSSp and Bishop Donal J. Murray, CSSp, both of blessed memory. They continue to inspire us even today.”
The Synod reaffirmed that the Sacraments should be at the center of faith life, as “without them the Church would not exist.” The Sacrament of Marriage is hard to understand fully in a context characterized by polygamy. For this reason, it has been decided that there will be an increase in educational efforts in Catholic marriage preparation. Another problem faced is that of prohibition of women living in a polygamous union to receive the Eucharist: “Since blanket permission cannot be given to them against the teaching of the universal Church, those in such unions should see them as opportunities to stand up for their faith and to strive earnestly and ceaselessly for the conversion of their spouses until it is achieved.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 03/11/2010)
